Abstract: The artificial plant soil composition is a major proportion, by weight, of a hydrated, non-toxic polymeric gel, such as one formed of a polyacrylamide co-polymer and water, and a minor proportion, by weight, of a non-toxic phosphorescent pigment uniformly distributed in the gel. The pigment preferably is about 98.5 percent, by weight of the pigment, of zinc sulfide, with substantially the remainder being zinc oxide, but with sufficient copper sulfide present, for example, about 500 ppm, to activate the zinc sulfide. The polyacrylamide co-polymer is usually about 1 percent, by weight, of the composition, with the water forming the remainder, except for the pigment. The pigment is usually present in a concentration of about 0.12 percent, by weight of the composition. The composition is used as a potting soil for plants and has the added effect of attractively exhibiting phosphorescence. The presence of the pigment in the gel does not cloud the clear gel.